In The News

Hospital deaths rates rise at weekends

Hospital deaths rates rise at weekends

A study has found that more people die after being admitted to hospital at weekends compared to admissions on weekdays.

The study, conducted by experts from Imperial College London, was carried out in England and focused on emergency admissions to 163 acute hospital trusts during 2005/06. 

The higher death rate at weekends, compared to weekdays, involved patients  with conditions including heart attack, heart failure and strokes.

It is thought the higher than expected mortality rates may be linked to fewer specialists and diagnostic services being available at weekends.

Researchers reviewed 215,000 deaths out of a total of 4.3 million admissions.

Dr. Paul Aylin, the senior author of the study, said: “We estimate that there were over 3,000 more deaths than expected at weekends in 2005/06 compared to weekdays — more than the number of people dying in road accidents in 2006”.

Dr. Aylin added: “Staffing levels are often lower at weekends, with fewer senior medical staff around, and some specialist services are less available. We believe this may be contributing to the increase in mortality rates on Saturdays and Sundays but we would like to see more research”.

 

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